US President Donald Trump has indicated that Washington is approaching a major decision over the next phase of its conflict with Iran, while the United States has simultaneously approved visas for senior Iranian officials to attend the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Trump made the remarks in an interview with Axios on September 17, 2026. He said he had a major decision ahead regarding whether the United States should resume large-scale military operations against Iran. Trump specifically raised the possibility of intensifying military action against the Iranian regime, while also indicating that the next steps had not yet been decided.
The comments came just days before the opening of the high-level United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York. Trump is scheduled to meet leaders from six Gulf countries on the sidelines of the gathering. The countries include Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman. According to Axios, Trump said he wanted to hear directly from the Gulf leaders before determining the next stage of the conflict.
The planned meeting is significant because Gulf countries have been closely affected by the continuing conflict between the United States and Iran. Regional governments have expressed concerns about possible Iranian retaliation against energy infrastructure and other strategic facilities if large-scale US military operations resume. Axios reported that Trump previously decided against immediately restarting major combat operations after concerns were raised by Saudi Arabia and Qatar about potential attacks on their oil and gas infrastructure.
While Trump was discussing the possibility of further military action, the US State Department confirmed that a core Iranian delegation would be allowed to attend the United Nations General Assembly high-level week.
The approved Iranian delegation includes President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to US officials cited by Reuters and the Associated Press. The delegation will be smaller than in previous years and will face restrictions on movement and purchases of luxury and certain other goods while in the United States.
The State Department said the decision was consistent with the United States’ responsibilities as the host country of the United Nations. Under the 1947 UN Headquarters Agreement, the US generally has obligations concerning access for foreign diplomats attending UN meetings, although Washington maintains that restrictions can be imposed in certain circumstances.
The decision to allow senior Iranian officials into New York comes amid continuing hostilities between Washington and Tehran. According to Reuters, the conflict began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, 2026, followed by Iranian strikes against Israel and Gulf states hosting US military bases. Efforts to reach an agreement to end the conflict have continued intermittently, but no comprehensive settlement has been announced.
Trump’s latest remarks therefore come at a point when diplomatic and military options remain under discussion. His statement about a possible decision to resume major attacks does not mean that a new military operation has been ordered or that a specific date for such an operation has been announced.
The US military has reportedly been instructed to maintain its current force levels in the Middle East through the end of the year, keeping American forces prepared for a possible escalation. At the same time, the White House has been developing plans concerning the regional situation after the conflict, including efforts to contain Iran and promote wider regional normalization.
The upcoming UN General Assembly could therefore become an important diplomatic setting for discussions about the future of the Iran conflict. Trump is expected to use meetings with Gulf leaders to assess their views on the war and its potential next phase.
Meanwhile, the decision to permit the Iranian delegation to attend the UN meetings provides an opportunity for Iranian officials to participate in international diplomacy despite the continuing conflict. The US has placed restrictions on the delegation, but the approval means senior Iranian representatives are expected to be present in New York for the high-level meetings.
Trump has not publicly announced a final decision on whether the United States will resume large-scale military operations against Iran. His comments indicate that the issue remains under consideration as Washington weighs military, diplomatic and regional factors ahead of the UN General Assembly.